formalism
     n 1: the doctrine that formal structure rather than content is
          what should be represented [ant: {imitation}]
     2: (philosophy) the philosophical theory that formal (logical
        or mathematical) statements have no meaning but that its
        symbols (regarded as physical entities) exhibit a form
        that has useful applications
     3: the practice of scrupulous adherence to prescribed or
        external forms
Source: WordNet® 2.0